Two years had passed in what felt like
the blink of an eye. To Adam, it seemed like just yesterday he had amived in this world, carrying a newborn Barolt in his arms. Now, his son was a lively toddler, running around the house with boundless energy, his bright blue hair catching the sunlight like a shimmering wave. The two idiots-Hans and Bam-had become an inseparable part of their little family, handling the day-to-day chores and legalities of their home while Adam focused on raising Barolt and learning about this strange new world.
Adam had spent the last two years
Immersing himself in the customs
technology, and rules of this world. He
had leamed to use the internet, albeit
clumsily, to gather information. He had discovered that this world was governed by a system of ranks, with powerful families holding sway over entire continents. The Reinhart family, one of the six most influential noble
families, was particularly notable. Adam had no interest in politics or power struggles, but he made sure to stay informed. Knowledge was power, and he needed to protect his son. Hans and Bam, despite their initial
incompetence, had proven to be more
capable than Adam had given them
credit for. They had handled the
legalities of their home, ensuring that it
was officially registered and that
Baroit's existence was documented They had also taken on the role of uncles, doting on Barolt and teaching him the basics of life in this world
A Peaceful Morning
It was a quiet moming, the kind that
Adam had come to cherish. The forest
was alive with the sounds of nature, and the sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow over the house. Hans and Bam were playing with Barolt in the yard, their laughter
echoing through the clearing.
"Alright, Barolt, listen up, Hans sald,
crouching down to the toddler's level. "Hernember this face clearly. This is your Uncle Hans, the one who's worked so hard to raise you. From feeding you to cleaning your diapers, from washing your clothes to making your bed-rive
done it all
Bam chimed in, ruffling Baroit's hair "Yeah, and don't forget Uncle Baml. If you become a strong Ranker one day, don't forget us, okay? Maybe you'll evenbecome as strong as your pops like over there.
Barolt, barely two years old, blinked up at thern with wide, innocent eyes. "Okay!" he chirped, his voice filled with childish enthusiasm.
Adam watched the scene from a distance, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Life was good. Peaceful. For the first time in his life, he felt content. But that peace was about to be shattered.
Unwelcomed Visitors
Adam's senses, honed through years of battle, picked up on the presence of two individuals approaching the house.
They were Rankers, stronger than Hans
and Bam but nowhere near his level
The girl was at the base of B-rank
while the man was nearing a
breakthrough to A-rank. Both carried
themselves with the confidence of
nobility, their movements precise and
deliberate.
Adam's eyes narrowed as he observed
them from his chair on the porch. He
didn't recognize them, but their
presence could only mean trouble. He remained seated, his posture relaxed but his mind was already calculatingthe possible threats.
The two Rankers, a young woman and,a man in their early twenties,approached the house with cautioussteps. They had been sent toInvestigate a rift that was predicted to form nearby. The rift was low-ranked, and the monsters that would emerge were not considered a significant
Threat. However, protocol demanded that the area be evacuated as a precaution.
When they spatted the house in the middle of the forest, they were surprised. The area was supposed to be uninhabited. As they drew closer, they noticed two men in their earlythirties playing with a blue-haired
toddler. The scene was oddly domestic,
but something about it felt... off.
Before they could approach, a deep,
calm voice cut through the air"Why are you here?"
The two Rankers froze, their eyes
snapping to the source of the voice. A
massive man, easily over six feet tall
with a muscular build that seemed
almost inhuman, was sitting casually in
a chair on the porch. His presence was overwhelming, even from a distance. His piercing gaze locked onto them,
and for a moment, they felt as if they
were being weighed and measured.
The young woman, her silver hair tied back in a ponytail, stepped forward. "I
am Elara Reinhart, and this is my
companion, Kael Forger. We're here to
inform you that a rift is predicted to
form nearby. For your safety, we
recommend evacuating the area temporarily
Adam raised an eyebrow, "A rift?
Kael, a tall man with sharp features and
dark hair, nodded. "Yes. It's low-ranked, but it's standard procedure to evacuate civilians. We didn't expect to find anyone living out here."
Adam leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "We'll be fine.
You can leave."Elara frowned. "Sir, with all due respecteven a low-ranked rift can be
dangerous. The monsters that emerge-
"Are not a threat to us" Adam
interrupted, his tone firm but not
hostile. ,"Thank you for the warming, but
we'll stay".
Elara and Kael exchanged a glance. They weren't used to being dismissed so casually, especially by someone who looked like a civilian. But therewas something about the man'sdemeanor that gave them pause. He didn't seem afraid orconcerned. If anything, he seemed... bored.
Kael stepped forward, his voice polite but insistent. "Sir, we're from the Reinhart and Forger families. It's our duty to ensure the safety of civilians. If you refuse to evacuate, we'll have no choice but to report this to the
authorities.
Adam's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you
threatening me?"
Elara quickly intervened, sensing the
tension. "No, of course not. We're just trying to do our job. if you're confident in your ability to handle the situation,that's your choice. But we'd appreciate It if you at least stayed Indoors until the rift closes."
Adam studied them for a moment before nodding,"Fine. We'll stay inside" he said. Elara and Kael relaxed slightly, though
they still felt uneasy. There was something about this man and the two men playing with the child-thatdidn't add up. But they had done their duty, and there was no point in pushing further.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Elara
said, giving a slight bow. "We'll be on our way". As they turned to leave, Adam called
out, "One more thing."They paused, looking back at him.
"If any monsters come near this house,"
Adam said, his voice calm but carrying
an edge of steel, "I'll handle them. You don't need to worry"
Elara and Kael nodded, though they couldn't shake the feeling that they had Just encountered someone far more dangerous than they had anticipated.
The Rift,
As the two Rankers left, Adam turned
his attention to the forest. He could feel the faint energy of the rift forming, a subtle disturbance in the air. It was weak, just as they had said, but Adam wasn't taking any chances. He had fought too many battles to let his quard down, even for a moment.
Hans and Bam, sensing the shift in Adam's demeanor, quickly gathered Barolt and brought him inside. They knew better than to question their boss when he was serious.
Adam stood on the porch, his eyes scanning the treeline. The rift would open soon, and with it, the monsters would come. He didn't know what kind of creatures would emerge, but it didn't matter. Nothing would threaten his family.
As the first tendrils of dark energy began to coalesce in the distance, Adam cracked his knuckles and stepped off the porch.
"Let's see what this world has to offer ", he muttered, a faint smile playing on his lips.